tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and dropped to rear 2 out, weakened
held up in rear, closer in 5th 2 out, ridden in 3rd approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
ran 5th, progress entering straight and ridden to challenge before last, led narrowly run-in, kept on under pressure
ran 4th, progress to dispute 2 out, ridden to lead early straight, headed run-in, kept on under pressure
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and dropped towards rear 2 out, kept on one pace straight, went moderate 4th close home
led, pressed and joined 2 out, headed early straight and no extra in 4th last, weakened
ran 6th, progress to go 3rd 2 out and slight mistake, no extra in 5th early straight, weakened
Another instalment of the Hurricane Fly's regular battles with JEZKI and it looks as fascinating as the previous meetings. The great champion has won three of the past four of these, including last year when he had Jessica Harrington's champion hurdler the same distance behind as at Punchestown last month. Willie Mullins' brilliant veteran looked just the fitter of the pair in that latter race and though there was no doubting his superiority on the day it's the youngster, who holds the championship belts from Cheltenham and Punchestown, who can come out on top this time. The remainder are playing for places on all known form with Arctic Fire, a decent third in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, perhaps the best of them.
Alderwood (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden in 2nd 3 out, dropped to 4th next, soon no impression, 4th of 10, 13l behind Felix Yonger (11-10) at Cork 2m chs Grd 2 (1).
Arctic Fire (GER) 9-4 (11-7) Held up behind, headway into 3rd approaching 3 out, outpaced when hit next, soon ridden, kept on same pace before last, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Irving (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Nov.
Hurricane Fly (IRE) 15-8 (11-10) Slight peck 1st, held up in 4th early, moderate 3rd before 4th where slight mistake, closer 3 out, mistake 2 out, travelled well to challenge before last, ridden to lead last, kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Nov beating Jezki (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Jezki (IRE) 8-13fav (11-10) Chased leader in moderate 2nd, slight mistakes 3rd and 4 out, closer 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, improved to lead early straight, ridden and challenged before last, headed and mistake last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Punchestown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Nov.
King of The Picts (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, outpaced before last, stayed on towards finish to take 4th close home, 4th of 8, 17l behind The New One (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl G2 (1) gs.
Plinth (IRE) 9-10fav (11-4) Soon raced in 2nd, on terms 3 out, led after next, pressed when left clear last, eased briefy closing stages, soon pushed out to hold on at the finish,, won at Punchestown 2m 6f hdl sft in Nov beating Goonyella (10-8) by 1/2l, 3 ran.
Tiger Roll (IRE) 9-4 (11-6) Tracked leaders early, moderate 4th when slight mistake 4th, soon pushed along, weakened from 4 out, trailing when pulled up before next (post race lame), in a race won by Little King Robin (10-12) at Down Royal 2m hdl G2 (1) in Oct, 7 ran.
